Belagavi
A large number of farmers in Belagavi district have been deceived by fake seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. The affected farmers are now demanding compensation for crop loss and action against the accused.
Prakash Naik, a farmer leader, said the vigilance unit of the agri department in Belagavi has so far detected only seven offences, though the actual number is much higher.
After suffering crop loss due to floods and droughts, farmers are now finding themselves short-changed by poor-quality farm inputs. The vigilance unit has identified approximately 200 cases of crop damage directly linked to low-quality fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides.
Haveri ranks first in cases of substandard fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides, with 24 cases detected this monsoon season. Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hassan, and Davanagere reported 12 cases each, Raichur had 11, Bagalkot nine, Bengaluru city and Vijayapura each had eight, Belagavi seven, while Mandya reported six such cases.However, no criminal case has been registered yet against the offenders.According to officials in the agriculture department, sale of fake seeds and fertilisers was detected mostly in Haveri district.
It is notable that farmers from Davangere, Vijayapura, Vijayanagar, Koppal, Bellary, Dharwad, Chitradurga, and Shimogga districts purchase seeds from Haveri district.Sidagouda Modagi, the president of Bharateeya Krishik Samaj, said the climate of Haveri district is suitable for quality seed production. So, farmers from many other districts, including Belagavi, depend on Haveri district for high-quality seeds. With demand concentrated in Haveri, farmers there have been targeted the most.
According to officials at the agriculture department, substandard farm inputs, including pesticides, worth Rs 5.9 crore were seized in the state. A total of 197 complaints have been fined, with licences of 40 vendors suspended, and another 67 cancelled. Agriculture department officials have advised farmers to buy only from authorised sellers.
